Cong showering offers to pacify agitated Thomas

The Congress leadership is all out to pacify a hurt KV Thomas with offers galore, right from the UDF convenor post, now held by the Chalakudy candidate Benny Behnan, a top AICC post, ticket for the Ernakulam Assembly seat in case Hibi Eden, who has unseated him as the Lok Sabha candidate.

But things do not seem all that easy as Thomas reportedly burst out at Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala who called on him in Delhi this morning.

Pained and shocked at being rejected without even being sounded in advance, Thomas is said to have asked Chennithala to explain why he was denied the ticket when all other sitting MPs from the State would now be contesting. Only after that answer was given would he consider giving a thought to any offer.

It is learnt the state leadership in unison was against Thomas, leaving party president Rahul Gandhi with no choice but accept it. Thomas burst out late on Saturday immediately after learning about the denial.

A former Minister and five-time Lok Sabha member, Thomas expressed his surprise, shock, pain and dismay at being denied the ticket. He said he did not belong to any group and this could have been used against him.

He made it clear that he would remain in politics and continue social work. On specifically being asked in Delhi, where he had been camping for quite some time, whether he would join BJP, he avoided a direct reply. Thomas only said that it was not the time to think about anything as “I'm still to come out of the shock of the disastrous denial.

Given his displeasure over being sidelined, Thomas is expected to make things difficult for Hibi. Congress circles said the impact would be felt in neighboring Chalakudy too.

While the BJP has made clear its willingness to accept Thomas into its fold, Thomas has not revealed his plans.